Steve Geller

Steve: Three exciting Saints players to watch tonight

by Steve Geller,posted Aug 23 2014 11:06AM

There are quite a few reasons that Saturday night’s preseason tilt in Indianapolis is going to be exciting for Saints fans.

You get to see Drew Brees in action for the first time, as he missed the first 2 preseason contests with a strained left oblique. Also big ticket free agent acquisition Jarius Byrd will see his first game action in Black & Gold, as the safety has been given clearance for contact following back surgery. And, of course preseason game #3 means were are that much closer to the real thing, baby!

With the first set of roster cuts coming on Tuesday, here are 3 players who I’ll be looking out for in this one:

1. Cornerback Champ Bailey

Bailey has spent very little time partaking in team drills, but the future Hall-of-Famer doesn’t really need the practice reps. We all know who Champ is and what he’s capable of, but does he really have any gas left in the tank? Whatever the reason may be for the Saints limiting his training camp participation, I’m all for it. Keep those legs fresh for the regular season. Let’s see if Andrew Luck dares to throw the 36-year-old's way.

2. Wide Receiver Nick Toon

"Will the real Nick Toon please stand up, please stand up, please stand up?" There have been times during this year’s camp when the 2012 4th round draft pick has looked amazing, but then come a game situation, POOF, he vanishes. Right now, I have Joe Morgan ahead of Toon for the 4th WR spot, but the team will carry 5 receivers or possibly 6 this season. Would you rather have Toon or Robert Meachem? I’d lean toward Meachem right now just because I know what I’m getting. Toon needs to show me something during show time to get my nod of approval.

3. Outside Linebacker Kasim Edebali

Many of you are reading this right now and are saying, “Who the heck are you talking about?” I feel you, but when fellow OLB Junior Galette singles Edebali out as a player that has stood out to him this camp, you make a note and be sure to pay attention. Here is a rookie profile of Edebali I did during camp to get a little background on him. So far in the previous 2 preseason games he has registered 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 1 QB hit. We’ll see if he becomes one of those undrafted rookie free agent finds to make the roster.